LAMOURE, N.D. (Newsdakota.com) – LaMoure/Litchville/Marion eked out a 22-20 victory over Enderlin/Maple Valley on Friday at home to begin the new year.

Both the start to the game and the start to the second half followed similar patterns. Both offenses struggled to find a groove. There were three combined failed 4th down attempts and two EMV turnovers. LLM would gain traction as the opening quarter wound down. On the first play of the 2nd, LLM halfback Brett Wendel took a toss on 4th and 3 and scored from 36 yards out.

Later in the quarter, EMV took the lead on a 22 yard TD pass over the middle from Zane Gruba to Carson Hovelson, and with a 2-point conversion, EMV lead 8-6.

Three minutes later, LLM regained the lead after a Colton Ness caught his second pass of the drive, this one resulting in 6. A successful 2-point conversion gave LLM a 14-8 lead.

EMV wasn’t done with the half either. As time expired, Gruba tossed a ball into the endzone and it was batted into the hands of his receiver Brady Karges for a 34 yard score.

Neither team scored in the 3rd, but LLM broke the tie in the 4th on QB Corban Potts’ second TD pass to Ness of the day. EMV answered with a TD of their own ten minutes later. LLM had a two point lead with one minute to play and needed a stop on a two point conversion.

That’s just what they got, too. Brady Lettenmeier came up with a sack and preserved the win for LLM.

Next time out for LLM is Friday at Richland. EMV’s next game is Friday at home against Tri-State.